Solid air freshener

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solid pressed air freshener and odor neutralizer composition which can include greater than 10% fragrance. The air freshener comprises a fragrance; preferably the fragrance is impregnated within a water soluble substrate made from a foamed vegetable starch, a surfactant and a solidifier. The solid formulations break down easily in the presence of water and may be sprayed, within the area to be freshened.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of making a solid air freshener comprising the steps of:
 combining a starch based fragrance component, a solidifier and a surfactant, wherein said surfactant and solidifier are in a ratio of greater than 1:1 on a percent weight basis; and 
 compressing said components to form a solid, 
 wherein said fragrance component, solidifier and said surfactant are held together not by solidification from a melt but by binding through compression. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said air freshener comprises greater than 10% fragrance. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising a disintegration aid. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the surfactant is a polyethylene oxide surfactant. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein said polyethylene oxide surfactant is has a melting point greater than 30° C. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein said surfactant is a C8 to C24 alcohol with from about 20-40 moles of ethoxylate. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the surfactant is sodium lauryl sulfate. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein said solidifier is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 4000. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein said starch fragrance component is present in an amount of from about 35-60 wt. %. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of from about 20-50 wt. %. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein said solidifier is present in an amount of from about 15-40 wt. %. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein said compression produces a stable solid with reduced leaching of fragrance. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein said air freshener is stable under a range of temperatures, formed a clear use solution upon disintegration, and did not have significant fragrance weep. 
     
     
       14. A method of deodorizing/freshening a surface, bounded volume of air, or environment, comprising:
 obtaining a pressed solid air freshener composition comprising a fragrance component of from about 40-80 wt. %, a surfactant of from about 20-50 wt. %, and a solidifier of from about 15-40 wt. % wherein, said fragrance component comprises up to about 30% by weight of fragrance, and wherein said fragrance component and said surfactant are held together not by solidification from a melt but by binding through compression; 
 dissolving the solid pressed air freshener to form a liquid composition; and 
 applying the liquid composition to the surface, bounded volume of air, or environment to eliminate or attenuate odors. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  further comprising the applying a predetermined concentration of the liquid composition for eliminating or attenuating odors. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein said dissolving is by:
 applying water to the solid pressed air freshener so that the air freshener becomes dissolved to form the liquid composition. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein said dissolving occurs within a spray bottle. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 directing a spray trigger nozzle generally at the surface, bounded volume of air, or environment, and spraying the liquid composition from the spray bottle.